Category Archives: English

BBC Radio 4 Extra – Words, Words, Words

Sue Perkins explores the house of Samuel Johnson – author of ‘A Dictionary of the English Language’. Published in 1755, this book was to set the standard for all future dictionaries. Comedian Sue also pays a visit to the British … Continue reading

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The ancient origins of Sci-fi and tech words

[…] Rob and Jess are talking tech! In this episode, they explore the linguistic origins of terms from technology, Sci-fi and the internet. 🧌 Who was the first internet troll? 🤖 What does ‘robot’ literally mean? 🔫 Does Jedi actually … Continue reading

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Why is T ‘Dropped’?

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Why do we say ‘bury the hatchet’?

[…] In this episode, Rob and Jess explore the stories behind a host of common sayings. 🪓 Does anyone actually ‘bury the hatchet’? 😈 Was there ever a ‘devil’s advocate’? 🔫 What is a ‘son of a gun’? 🪶 Why … Continue reading

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How The English Language Will Never Be The Same Again: Anne Curzan

Why is English always changing—and why does that change so often make us uneasy? In this fascinating conversation, we’re joined by linguist, author, and University of Michigan Dean Professor Anne Curzan to explore how English evolves, who influences that change, … Continue reading

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The English words nobody can explain

[…] Let’s explore some English mysteries. And go to https://ground.news/robwords to see how language shapes our perspectives. Save 40% for unlimited access to the Vantage Plan through my link. Some of the most ordinary words in English have origins that … Continue reading

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The weirdest verb in English

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Grammarian drops into Errorist’s secret L’error

Part III – The Grammarian saga continues . . . Professor Grammarian visits Misprint Manor to spring a daring trap for the diabolical Errorist. […]

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Language Expert Answers Word Origin Questions | Tech Support | WIRED

University of Cambridge Research Fellow Dr. Stephen Turton joins WIRED to answer the internet’s burning questions about the logic (and many quirks) of the English language. Why are so many English words not pronounced the way they’re spelled? Why is … Continue reading

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What did North, South, East & West originally mean?

[…] From mountain high to valley low, Rob Watts and Jess Zafarris are exploring the origins of geography words. 🐻‍❄️ Why are the poles called ‘poles’? 🗻 What is the difference between a hill and a mountain? 🧭 What do … Continue reading

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